Jade and Josh have signed for their tenancy and have been busy painting, decorating and shopping for their new home, while Ose is set to get the keys in the coming weeks.
The Wolverhampton House Project is designed to help care leavers through one of the most difficult periods in their young lives.
The scheme – a partnership between the City of Wolverhampton Council, The National House Project and commercial partner Reconomy – will see 10 care leavers aged 16 and over given an empty Wolverhampton Homes property which they can refurbish and then move into. They will be able to continue living in it for as long as they choose – forever if that’s what they want to do.
Links have also been made with local building companies and training providers to give the young people the skills they need to make any improvements required to what will become their home.
The trio are the first young people to get their own flats through the Wolverhampton House Project.
Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Living alone for the first time is daunting for any of us, but particularly so for a care leaver who will do this at a much earlier age than most young people and who would not have the support of family members, either.
“As a result, some young people stay in care for longer than they either need or want to.
"The House Project will help 10 young people to move into their own home while getting support to develop the practical and emotional skills that they need to live independently and to make their house a home.
“Jade, Josh and Ose have overcome several obstacles along the way – with the toughest challenge of all of course being the coronavirus pandemic which delayed matters by a few months.
“However, through all this they have remained committed and focused to achieve their end goal and are now excited to start the next journey in their lives. I wish them the best of luck in their new homes.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Wolverhampton Homes for its continued support throughout this challenging time and to enable this to happen. We are excited to see the rest of the group progress to getting their tenancies very soon.”
Jade said: “Since I got my flat my confidence has improved so much, and I finally feel I have my own freedom.”
Josh added: “I started from the bottom and now I’m here. I’m really excited to have my own place and to decorate it the way I want.”
To find out more about please visit The House Project.
